Validation Techniques for Dementia Care The Family Guide to Improving Communication By Vicki de Klerk-Rubin, R.N., M.B.A.

"Validation Techniques for Dementia Care is a rare book, written with empathy for the caregiver … Bringing 20 years of experience as a Validation presenter, practitioner, and teacher, [the author] offers families step-by-step ways of communicating, with a multitude of examples and exercises."
-Naomi Feil, M.S.W., A.C.S.W., L.I.S.W., B.C.D., Executive Director, Validation Training Institute, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio

"Validation Techniques for Dementia Care … uses a combination of narrative and step-by-step guidelines to help readers truly integrate Validation techniques into their interactions with loved ones … Reading this book will build mindfulness and empathy in caregivers, teaching them simple methods that can help them explore and support that emotional reality of aging persons and find relevance and meaning in their experiences."
-Peter Whitehouse, M.D., Ph.D., and Danny George, M.Sc., authors of The Myth of Alzheimer's: What You Aren't Being Told About Today's Most Dreaded Diagnosis

"How I wish I'd had this book when I was caring for my parents, both suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Through trial and error, I eventually learned to just forget about logic and reason and used what I called 'Go-With-The-Flow,' never realizing I was using a Validation technique. How much easier it would have been and how much time and heartache it would have saved to have instructions on how to manage the myriad of odd behaviors that occur in those with dementia."
-Jacqueline Marcell, author of Elder Rage and radio host of Coping With Caregiving

"This book contains controversial, yet highly enlightening, concepts that will aid family members in their quest to communicate with and find meaning in their relationship with their loved ones."
-John C. Colletti, Psy.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist; Certified Validation Teacher; President, Chapman Senior Care, Richmond, VA

"This book gives family members, friends, and others the keys to unlock the doors to continued relationships and opportunities for positive interactions with loved ones. Ms. deKlerk-Rubin presents the principles of Validation, gives meaningful guidance in negotiating the role of caregiver, provides techniques and approaches that have been proven to be useful, and gives excellent examples in the form of stories to guide application. An important contribution to the caregiving literature."
-Harvey L. Sterns, Ph.D., Director, Institute for Life-Span Development and Gerontology and Professor of Psychology, The University of Akron; Research Professor of Gerontology, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine and College of Pharmacy

"Vicki de Klerk-Rubin has penned a powerful complement to Naomi Feil's earlier works.… Clear-cut examples from real life situations are offered as insights into effective verbal and nonverbal communication techniques to be used with someone who suffers from disorientation or dementia.… Readers are left with concrete methods and a sense of hope as they toil through very difficult times."
-Sandy Ransom, R.N., M.S.H.P., Director, Texas Long Term Care Institute